Silverbeet Ruby Red 50 seeds

$3.90

Required

QTY

Silverbeet Ruby Red 50 Seeds

Beta vulgaris

Site. Grow Silverbeet/Chard in full sun; chard will tolerate partial shade. Silverbeet/Chard grows best in well-worked, well-drained soil rich in organic matter, although chard does not favor soil that is too acidic. Chard grows best in a soil pH of 6.0 to 6....

Site. Grow Silverbeet/Chard in full sun; chard will tolerate partial shade. Silverbeet/Chard grows best in well-worked, well-drained soil rich in organic matter, although chard does not favor soil that is too acidic. Chard grows best in a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.8.

Planting time. Silverbeet/Chard grows best in cool temperatures; high temperatures will slow down leaf production. Sow chard in the garden 2 to 4 weeks after all frost has passed in spring. To get an early start, sow Silverbeet/Chard indoors as early as 3 to 4 weeks before the average last frost date in spring for transplanting out when plants are 3 to 4 inches tall. Plant chard also in summer for a fall harvest. Once established Silverbeet/Chard will tolerate heat and frost. In mild-winter climates, chard can be grown through the winter.

Planting and spacing. Sow chard seed ½ inch deep from 1 to 2 inches apart. Thin successful seedlings from 8 to 12 inches apart. Space rows 18 to 24 inches apart. Silverbeet/Chard grows from seed cluster (several seeds to a cluster, similar to beets). Clusters are likely to produce several seedlings so thin to the strongest seedling once plants are 3 inches tall. Cut the weaker seedlings off at soil level with a small scissors. Silverbeet/Chard can grow crowded, but leaves will be smaller. Crowded plants may tend to bolt and go to seed more quickly.

Water and feeding. Keep chard evenly moist for quick, tender growth. Prepare planting beds with well-aged compost in advance of sowing. Side dress Silverbeet/Chard with aged compost at mid season.

Container growing. Silverbeet/Chard will grow in an 8-inch pot. Plant 2 or 3 plants in a container. In larger containers, set chard in wide rows on 8-inch centres. Pick older, outside leaves first and allow young, tender leaves to grow on.

Pests. Aphids and leaf miners will attack Silverbeet/Chard. Control aphids by pinching out the affected leaves or hose them away with a blast of water. Leaf miners feed on the inside of leaf surfaces. Remove leaves with significant leaf miner damage and look underneath leaves for row of pearl-white eggs; destroy them.

Diseases. Silverbeet/Chard has no serious disease problems.

Harvest. Silverbeet/Chard will be ready for harvest in 55 to 60 days from sowing. Pick outside leaves as early as three inches long but before leaves grow to 10 inches long. Older leaves will have an earthy flavor. Harvest chard on a cut-and-come-again schedule; remove a few outside leaves at time. If you harvest the whole plant, cut it back to about 3 inches above the soil and it will grow back. Over winter can be harvested again the second year.

Dark green, shiny leaves with red veins and bright crimson stalks make this a great vegetable that's both decorative and edible!

Plants grow 45-60 cm tall. Tasty unique flavoured leaves can be used fresh or frozen. Ready to harvest in 55-60 days